---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sectarian priests cry out concerning me…"
description: "\"Sectarian priests cry out concerning me, and ask, \"Why is it this babbler gains so many followers, and retains them?\" I answer, It is because I possess..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be1/joseph-smith-jr-1647_answers_sectarian-priests-cry-out-concerning-me_2097092.png"
---

#  Sectarian priests cry out concerning me, and ask, "Why is…

![“Sectarian priests cry out concerning me, and ask, &quot;Why is it this babbler gains so many followers, and retains them?&quot; I answer, It is because I possess the principle of love. All I can offer the world is a good heart and a good hand.” quote by Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be1/joseph-smith-jr-1647_answers_sectarian-priests-cry-out-concerning-me_2097092.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be1/joseph-smith-jr-1647_answers_sectarian-priests-cry-out-concerning-me_2097092.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be1/joseph-smith-jr-1647_answers_sectarian-priests-cry-out-concerning-me_2097092.png)

> “Sectarian priests cry out concerning me, and ask, "Why is it this babbler gains so many followers, and retains them?" I answer, It is because I possess the principle of love. All I can offer the world is a good heart and a good hand.”

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker claims love is the key to attracting and keeping followers, contrasting with religious critics.

**In simple terms:** Love draws people and keeps them loyal.

Key Takeaway

Embrace love to inspire others.

Themes

leadership faith influence

Mood

hopeful inspirational

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- building community
- spiritual guidance
- conflict resolution

Key Concepts

principle of love charity authenticity

Questions to Reflect On

- How can love translate into concrete actions?
- What other qualities complement love in leadership?

A Different Perspective

Critics may view love alone as insufficient for practical governance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Cry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cry/) [Followers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/followers/) [Good heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-heart/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Priests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priests/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/)

## Related quotes

> [But there is another way. And that is to organize mass non-violent resistance based on the principle of love. It seems to me that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/but-there-is-another-way-and-that-is-to-organize-mass-non-violent/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [At the center of nonviolence stands the principle of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr-2/at-the-center-of-nonviolence-stands-the-principle-of-love/)

[Martin Luther King Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr-2/)

> [The principle of love within us is an attribute of the Deity, and it is placed within us to be dispensed independently according to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigham-young/the-principle-of-love-within-us-is-an-attribute-of-the-deity-and-it/)

[Brigham Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigham-young/)

> [Grandeur of character lies wholly in force of soul, that is, in the force of thought, moral principle, and love, and this may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ellery-channing/grandeur-of-character-lies-wholly-in-force-of-soul-that-is-in-the/)

[William Ellery Channing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ellery-channing/)

> [“what I call the “first love syndrome,” found not only in what we most like in online systems but in movies, television shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-levinson/what-i-call-the-first-love-syndrome-found-not-only-in-what-we-most/)

[Paul Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-levinson/)

> [Love is a power, a mighty principle that exists in its own right independent of any individual. Man changes, but the principle of love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-long/love-is-a-power-a-mighty-principle-that-exists-in-its-own-right/)

[Barry Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-long/)

> [Infantile love follows the principle: "I love because I am loved." Mature love follows the principle: "I am loved because I love." Immature love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/infantile-love-follows-the-principle-i-love-because-i-am-loved-mature/)

[Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/)

> [Honesty is a principle. Service is a principle. Love is a principle. Hard work is a principle. Respect, gratitude, moderation, fairness, integrity, loyalty, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-covey/honesty-is-a-principle-service-is-a-principle-love-is-a-principle/)

[Sean Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-covey/)

> [Consider that as a principle of love is the main principle in the heart of a real Christian, so the labor of love, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/consider-that-as-a-principle-of-love-is-the-main-principle-in-the/)

[Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/)

> [At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/at-the-center-of-non-violence-stands-the-principle-of-love/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [Love of goodness without love of learning degenerates into simple-mindedness. Love of knowledge without love of learning degenerates into utter lack of principle. Love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/love-of-goodness-without-love-of-learning-degenerates-into-simple/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/i-have-more-to-boast-of-than-ever-any-man-had-i-am-the-only-man-that/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [You will live to see men arise in power in the Church who will seek to put down your friends and the friends of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/you-will-live-to-see-men-arise-in-power-in-the-church-who-will-seek/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [A great smile is a wonderful asset, but a good heart is pure gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/a-great-smile-is-a-wonderful-asset-but-a-good-heart-is-pure-gold/)

[Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/)

> [I've always believed that humans are good at heart. But there's always the exception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carlson/i-ve-always-believed-that-humans-are-good-at-heart-but-there-s-always/)

[Amy Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carlson/)

## More by Joseph Smith, Jr

> [ According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I \[the Lord\] have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/according-to-the-laws-and-constitution-of-the-people-which-i-the-lord/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [All your losses will be made up to you in the resurrection, provided you continue faithful. By the vision of the Almighty I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/all-your-losses-will-be-made-up-to-you-in-the-resurrection-provided/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge. For if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/a-man-is-saved-no-faster-than-he-gets-knowledge-for-if-he-does-not/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/i-never-told-you-i-was-perfect-but-there-is-no-error-in-the/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [ \[W\]e shall have the satisfaction of knowing that we have acted conscientiously, and have used our best judgment. And if we have to throw… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/w-e-shall-have-the-satisfaction-of-knowing-that-we-have-acted/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [If I had not actually got into this work and been called of God, I would back out. But I cannot back out: I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/if-i-had-not-actually-got-into-this-work-and-been-called-of-god-i/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [I will prove that the world is wrong, by showing what God is...God himself was once as we are now and is an exalted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/i-will-prove-that-the-world-is-wrong-by-showing-what-god-is-god/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/one-of-the-grand-fundamental-principles-of-mormonism-is-to-receive/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [I never thought it was right to call up a man and try him because he erred in doctrine, it looks too much like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/i-never-thought-it-was-right-to-call-up-a-man-and-try-him-because-he/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [The laundry has its hands on my dirty shirts, sheets, towels and tablecloths, and who knows what tales they tell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/the-laundry-has-its-hands-on-my-dirty-shirts-sheets-towels-and/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [When we are accomplishing the good, the greatest opposition comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/when-we-are-accomplishing-the-good-the-greatest-opposition-comes/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [Salvation cannot come without revelation. Men of the present time testify of heaven and hell, and have never seen either; and I will say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/salvation-cannot-come-without-revelation-men-of-the-present-time/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [ Will not the Lord hear my prayers and listen to my cries as soon as he ever did to theirs \[the ancient saints'\] if… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/will-not-the-lord-hear-my-prayers-and-listen-to-my-cries-as-soon-as/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [Let the Saints remember that great things depend on their individual exertion, and that they are called to be co-workers with us and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/let-the-saints-remember-that-great-things-depend-on-their-individual/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

> [Friendship is the grand fundamental principle of Mormonism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/friendship-is-the-grand-fundamental-principle-of-mormonism/)

[Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

[Explore all 219 Joseph Smith, Jr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/)

## More Answers quotes

> [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/)

[Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/)

> [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/)

[Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/)

> [You feed yourself. Make sure you have all the information, whether it's aesthetic, scientific, mathematical, I don't care what it is. Then you walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-feed-yourself-make-sure-you-have-all-the-information-whether-it-s/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things. Lecturing to children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-have-long-felt-that-the-way-to-keep-children-out-of-trouble-is-to/)

[Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/)

> [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/)

[John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/)

> [“As long as you keep searching,the answers will come.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kynock/as-long-as-you-keep-searching-the-answers-will-come/)

[Mitch Kynock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kynock/)

> [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/)

[Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/)

> [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [There is a comfort in rituals, and rituals provide a framework for stability when you are trying to find answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-norville/there-is-a-comfort-in-rituals-and-rituals-provide-a-framework-for/)

[Deborah Norville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-norville/)

> [A religious person answers to God, not to the elected or non-elected official.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/a-religious-person-answers-to-god-not-to-the-elected-or-non-elected/)

[Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/)

> [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/)

[Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/)

> [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/)

[Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

> [Enjoying life isn't about finding the answers, but living the questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-margolis/enjoying-life-isn-t-about-finding-the-answers-but-living-the-questions/)

[Sue Margolis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-margolis/)

Browse all 7,843 Answers quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Sectarian priests cry out concerning me, and ask, \"Why is it this babbler gains so many followers, and retains them?\" I answer, It is because I possess the principle of love. All I can offer the world is a good heart and a good hand.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Joseph Smith, Jr"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/sectarian-priests-cry-out-concerning-me-and-ask-why-is-it-this/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Answers"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/sectarian-priests-cry-out-concerning-me-and-ask-why-is-it-this/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be1/joseph-smith-jr-1647_answers_sectarian-priests-cry-out-concerning-me_2097092.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be1/joseph-smith-jr-1647_answers_sectarian-priests-cry-out-concerning-me_2097092.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be1/joseph-smith-jr-1647_answers_sectarian-priests-cry-out-concerning-me_2097092.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Sectarian priests cry out concerning me, and ask, \"Why is it this babbler gains so many followers, and…” — Joseph Smith, Jr",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Joseph Smith, Jr",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Sectarian priests cry out concerning me,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/sectarian-priests-cry-out-concerning-me-and-ask-why-is-it-this/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/sectarian-priests-cry-out-concerning-me-and-ask-why-is-it-this/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
